Non-Profits Fighting Crime in Chicago

12 Jun Non-Profits Fighting Crime in Chicago

When juveniles get involved with gangs and crime, the consequences can ruin their lives forever. Fortunately, many are still young enough to be influenced in a positive manner and make lifestyle changes that can put them back on the road to a successful future.

In Chicago, non-profit organizations such as BUILD Chicago (Broader Urban Involvement and Leadership Development) are working with children and young adults between the ages of 6 and 24, by offering everything from gang intervention to college and career services in an effort to fight crime.

The experienced and seasoned Illinois criminal law attorneys at Wolfe & Stec, Ltd. understand the seriousness of the problem of juvenile crime and gang violence. We applaud organizations that are trying to help keep young people out of trouble. For those who are already facing criminal charges, we provide aggressive representation and guidance. We have been successful in helping other juveniles and will do everything possible to defend their rights and enable their rehabilitation.

We offer a free initial consultation for those accused of criminal charges. Get help today by calling 630-305-0222.

How Non-Profits Help

Juveniles who get involved with gangs and violence may often retain the desire to do something positive with their lives. Many still have ambition, drive and intelligence, but have drifted into the gang lifestyle due to problems at home, conditions in their neighborhood, or through influence of friends. These young people need someone to believe in them and steer them in the right direction.

Non-profit organizations such as BUILD offer numerous approaches to deal with problem kids. The goal is to promote positive youth development and equip young people with the life skills and support to enable them to resist the lure of street gangs, violence and drugs, while developing life skills such as decision-making, goal-setting and conflict resolution.

What BUILD Does

The BUILD organization utilizes a team of nine specialists to work with schools, courts and police and monitor activity in the streets. These specialists are mostly individuals who have been in trouble themselves – often previously belonging to gangs or having served time in jail. Because they have shared experiences, specialists can build relationships with kids and young adults and implement a Violence/Gang Prevention Curriculum in the classroom or with small groups with identified behavioral issues

BUILD helps about 3,000 young people each year, primarily in the communities of East Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, Logan Square and the West Side neighborhood of Austin. The Prevention program works with youth during the school day, after school, and during school breaks, through academic assistance, life-skills workshops, social/recreational activities, mentoring opportunities and service learning projects. As these youths develop, they are referred to BUILDing Futures to further prepare for academic and career success.

A Safe Haven

Becoming a Man

Youth Guidance’s school-based counseling and mentoring program that promotes social, emotional and behavioral competencies for at-risk African American and Latino youth from Chicago’s toughest neighborhoods.youth-guidance.org

Blair Holt Peace Alliance

A support group for 12- to 24-year-olds affected by violence through mentoring, conflict resolution for gangs, combating drug abuse and bullying, holding prayer vigils, coordinating marches and rallies, and offering gun violence workshops.blairholtmemorialfoundation.org

CeaseFire Illinois

A Chicago-based, anti-violence program, using a public health approach to stopping violence by helping to change behavior, with success reducing shootings as much as 40 percent in Chicago communities.cureviolence.org

Chicago Citizens for Change (CCC)

CCC’s mission is to reduce youth violence through programs and partnerships that strengthen communities and promote restorative peace-making by supporting families and youth who have experienced loss due to violence.chicagocitizensforchange.org

Chicago Safe Start

Designed to bring Chicago-based people and programs together to help young children exposed to violence (CEV).chicagosafestart.net

Crisis Center for South Suburbia

Provides emergency shelter and other essential services for individuals and families victimized by domestic violence and addresses the societal issues that contribute to domestic violence.crisisctr.org

Family Rescue

Provides comprehensive support services and shelter to victims of domestic violence, particularly to abused women and their children; advocates to promote future system change; and encourages prevention through community education.familyrescueinc.org

Roseland Youth Voices Against Violence

Provides after-school programs, including tutoring and recreation, and discussions for young people on community pride and conflict resolution. Contact Gwen Baxter at (773) 629-8804.

United for a Cause

A community-based activist organization that provides services and resources to women, children, and families that have been victimized by violent crimes.

Contact Us to Defend Young People Facing Criminal Charges in Illinois

If you have a young family member charged with a crime, it’s important to take immediate action. Proper legal assistance can give the child a chance to learn, change, rehabilitate, and have a decent future.

The criminal defense lawyers at Wolfe & Stec, Ltd. are skilled trial lawyers who believe each juvenile case is unique, with its own set of circumstances. We know the courts and the juvenile justice system, and how to plea bargain, negotiate guidelines and recognize when to take a case to trial.

When we take on a juvenile case, we gather information quickly and look at all viable defense options to make a decision about the best legal strategy. If we cannot get the charges dropped, we will work to minimize the negative impact of a youthful mistake, seeking alternative sentence programs such as good behavior programs, drug and traffic school, jail tours, and dismissible or intense probation. We make sure that your case is not moved into adult court whenever possible and seek to protect juvenile offenders from harsh sentencing.

Don’t delay — contact us for help today at 630-305-0222 for a free consultation. Our Illinois juvenile crimes lawyers represent clients in DuPage County, Cook County, Will County, Naperville, Aurora, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Bolingbrook, and the Greater Chicagoland area in Illinois.